A cannabis smoker who found himself before a judge was told that his case was an unpleasant illustration of the perils of the Class B drug.

Joiner James Tindall, 27, from Middlesbrough , received frightening threats when he ran up a debt to his drug supplier.

He was ordered to set up a cannabis farm in his home which was raided on February 10 by police who seized drugs and a mobile phone with text messages showing he was dealing.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told Teesside Crown Court that Tindall arrived home to find police had already discovered seven plants growing in a bedroom and living room, along with 25 grammes of cannabis bush in a bin bag in the kitchen and zip-seal bags.

One of the messages on the phone read: “If you produce good stuff I’ll buy it all in bulk.”

Miss Haigh added: “A drugs officer said that although it was not sophisticated or professional it showed a person operating at a street dealer level.”

Tindall, who represented himself in court, started using cannabis at 19, the court heard.

Judge James Brown said: “You are to all intents and purposes a young man of entirely previous good character, and I would say that this is a salutary illustration to anybody of where the use of cannabis can get people.

“I read that you are a young man who started using it at the age of 19 and you became addicted and it was a result of running up a debt with the people who supplied it that you got involved in its production.

“These are people who are prepared to use extreme methods and to use violence.

“I accept that you were effectively acting under the coercion of others and under threat, and it is to your credit that since your offence in February you have made considerable attempts to distance yourself from this type of behaviour.”

Tindall, of Daleville, Middlesbrough, was given an eight month jail sentence suspended for two years.

He was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and pay £300 towards prosecution costs after pleading guilty to the production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply.